"Go to hell. I'm not some damn servant who will come to your beck and call," said Slayer as he stood watching the man, never making a move to put away his weapon.
"Now Söldner, is that any way to talk to an old friend?"
"You're no friend of mine Ray. Now will you just cut to the chase or do I have to cut you?"
"Fine. Our leader is not happy with you. You've missed every meeting and you were absent when we attacked the last boss."
"Is that all? Go tell Garfield he can go fuck himself. I'm not one of his goddamn lackeys."
"His name is Heathcliff and you would do well to show him proper respect."
"Garfield, Heathcliff, what's the difference? They're both fat, orange cats with stripes aren't they?"
"This is your last warning Söldner."
"Just fuck off. Also, stop calling me Söldner. I left that behind me."
"You didn't think you should have let your own handler know this? Heathcliff will not be pleased."
"First, never refer to yourself as my handler. You could never handle me in a million years. Secondly, I honestly don't give a rat's ass how Heathcliff feels. I never actually joined your little club after he formed it so he holds no power over me. The only time he had any say was when he was signing my paycheck, and as I just told you, I'm no longer a mercenary. Now if you don't mind, why don't you go take a long walk off a short cliff."
The man stood there as if slapped as Slayer went to activate his teleport crystal. He was just about to activate it when the man's visage suddenly turned cold and he spoke up once more.
"She seemed like a sweet girl. It would be a shame if something were to happen to her."
Slayer was just inches from Ray's face before he had even had time to finish the comment. Ray laid his hand against the hilt of his sword for reassurance, but he knew if Slayer meant to kill him then he would never even be able to draw it.
"Let's get one thing straight, you ever so much as hint at harm coming to her again and you'll be staring at your own headless corpse during your final moments."
Ray felt a chill run down his spine. As if the mental image wasn't bad enough, he truly believed if anyone had the ability to make that happen, it would be Slayer. He knew several strong players, but Slayer was different. It wasn't simply because of the sheer strength the man possessed, but because he had shown himself to care nothing for the lives of his fellow human beings, or even his own for that matter. There were stronger players, but none he considered nearly as dangerous as Slayer.
"You'd do well to remember who it was that has made life so easy for you. Who was it that lined your pockets? Who offered you a place to stay while you worked towards buying a house?"
"He was my employer and nothing more. All of those things I worked for and paid off in full. Besides, it's not like he was the only one paying me. I was a mercenary, and a rather popular one at that."
"You're a treacherous dog!"
"No, I'm a survivor! Now get it through your thick skull that I quit!"
"You'll regret those words."
"I'm sure I will. If it makes you feel any better, it's not you, it's me," Slayer remarked as he once again went to activate his teleport crystal. With one final warning glare at Ray, he teleported back to Floor 23. Before meeting Mia back at the house, he grabbed a few things from the local shops to keep her from growing suspicious. He entered the house feeling lighthearted with the thought that his past was behind him, not knowing his problems were far from over.
Day 129 Floor 25
"Sir, Ray has returned and wishes to see you," said the guard posted outside Heatcliff's room.
Heathcliff considered what the guard said for a moment. Until they could find and purchase a proper headquarters, Heathcliff had chosen an inn on the 25th floor as their central base. Though there was no real need for a guard, he had had one posted outside his office to instill an image of power and order. Finally, after having sorted his thoughts and some of the items laid out across his desk, he nodded to the guard to let Ray in. Once he had entered and the door was closed, Heathcliff motioned for him to begin his report.
"Sir, I have located Slayer."
"You always were one to get to the point. So what has become of our Söldner?"
"He claims he has given up that line of work. I found him on Floor 20, though my informants tell me his house is located on Floor 23."
"Slayer has given up being a mercenary? That is a shame. He was quite valuable at times. Did you offer him a place in the Knights of the Blood?"
"I'm sorry to say he did not seem interested in becoming a member."
"Oh well, we can make do without him. If you have nothing further to report then I'd like to return to my work."
"Sir, I do have a suggestion. Slayer seems to have aligned himself with a young girl. My informants mentioned he was no longer the houses only occupant and when I found him he seemed to be observing a young girl fighting. When I mentioned her he grew quite furious and openly threatened me. I believe if we can capture the girl then Slayer could be brought to heel."
"You know I do not approve of such strong-arm tactics. If he does not wish to join us then we will leave it at that."
"But sir-"
"Not another word Ray. I'm truly disappointed in you right now. I had been considering offering you a higher seat in the guild, but after this I think you've shown that you're not ready for a seat of power. You're dismissed."
Ray bowed low and exited the room. He maintained an outward air of tranquility, but inside he was bursting with rage at the injustice of it all. In his mind, all that had just transpired with Heathcliff was Slayer's fault. He decided he would have his revenge on Slayer, and he knew just how to do it. It was time he paid another visit to his most valuable informant.
Day 129 Floor 15Ray skulked through the streets as he approached his informant's place of business. He had equipped a set of non-descript armor to avoid drawing attention to himself. Finally he reached a seemingly vacant building, but he knew that it was not so. Someone was probably watching him this very moment as they decided their next move. He knocked out a careful rhythm and after a few seconds the door opened to reveal the lush room that waited beyond.
"Back so soon? I was quite certain the info I garnered for you was accurate," said a diminutive fellow sitting at a table in the middle of the room.
"It was Col, but that is not why I am here."
"Just remember that it will cost you. What do you seek?"
"I've heard tell of a PK guild on Floor 22 that can sometimes be persuaded to do things in exchange for payment. Do you know of them?"
"Aye. They call themselves the Gruesome Ghouls. What would you have need for a bunch of ruffians like that?"
"I have need of people who won't be bothered by things such as morality and conscience. Do you know who leads them?"
"A woman by the name of Grace. They say she is quite ruthless and that she is quite beautiful, but that the only graceful thing about her is the way in which she handles a blade."
"Perfect. Do you know how I could contact her?"
"They say you can contact them by going to the tavern on Floor 22. Once there, talk to the bartender and ask if he has seen any ghosts. After that an associate should approach you with further instructions, but everything past that is a mystery. All who have done it have either been sworn to secrecy, or were simply never heard from again."
"Thank you. Here is your usual fee, plus a small bonus for you have told me far more than I could have hoped for," Ray said as he turned to leave. He had barely taken two steps when Col was suddenly in front of him, blocking his way.
"If you insist on walking this path, I feel I must warn you to be wary. The Ghouls are not exactly known for their virtues and honor."
"That is exactly why they are perfect for the job. Take care Col," and with that he stepped past Col and went on his way. He would make preparations tonight just in case something went wrong, but tomorrow he would have his meeting.
Day 130 Floor 22Ray leaned against the bar as he waited to be approached by an associate of the Ghouls. He had been there nearly an hour and his patience was wearing thin. Just as he was about to walk out, a man brushed up against his shoulder.
"Meet me in the alley behind the tavern in ten minutes," whispered the man as he brushed past Ray.
The ten minutes leading up to the meeting seemed to last forever. Ray felt as though the time would never come. Finally, he made his way from the bar and exited out the front door. He slinked behind the building and began to search for his contact.
"What do you want?" inquired the man as he emerged from the shadows.
"I come in the hopes of meeting with your leader. I have a job proposition for her."
"What makes you think my leader would want to deal with the likes of you?"
"Because I can make her quite rich."
"We have money. If you truly wish to speak with my leader then you must offer something more."
"How about a powerful ally?" asked Ray as he showed the man the insignia of the Knights of the Blood he had kept covered up until now. "I have some pull within my guild and I could make things much easier for all of you."
"Intriguing," said a beautiful woman as she stepped out beside Ray. She had been only a couple short feet from her, yet he had never sensed her presence. Already he was beginning to see why she was considered so dangerous, if indeed it was Grace that now stood before him. The woman motioned to the man and he left them.
"I'm guessing you are the one they call Grace, leader of the Gruesome Ghouls," stated Ray.
"You would be correct. It seems you have me at a disadvantage for I know nothing of you."
"Somehow I doubt that. My name is Ray, and I have a business proposition for you."
"I am listening."
"I would like to claim revenge on an impertinent mercenary. He turned his back on us and I want him to suffer for it."
"You want us to kill him?"
"No, merely capture his teammate. The mercenary is a force to be reckoned with, but I'm sure the girl he has partnered with will offer little trouble. Once I have her in my possession I will have complete control over him. It seems he made the mistake of letting someone through his rough exterior, and I plan to make sure he comes to regret it."
"That's absolutely devious! I like it. I think you and I have a long and wonderful partnership laid out before us. Now, concerning my payment-"
"You will receive payment once I receive the girl."
"Devious and shrewd. You're the whole package."
"How long will it be before you make your move?"
"First I need to know more about my target and her partner. What can you tell me about them?"
"They share a house on Floor 23. The mercenary's name is Slayer. Though no one has been able to confirm it, the girl's name is believed to be Mia. She is young and petite so she should offer little resistance."
"Good. It's a start at least. I figure that if everything goes smoothly I can probably capture her within a couple of weeks."
"Two weeks? Why so long?"
"I'm a careful woman. First I will need to gather some information of my own. Then I'll need to figure out a plan of attack. Lastly, I need an opportunity to present itself. There is not a lot we can do if she never leaves the safety of her house."
"Fine, but I expect regular reports as to your progress. Agreed?"
"I'll tell you when I get the girl, but everything outside of that would be a hindrance to the mission."
"Okay, but remember, neither the girl nor Slayer is to be killed. I need them both alive in order for my plan to work."
"Deal. I'll be seeing you," Grace said as she turned on her heels and quickly disappeared into the shadows.
Ray lingered in the alley as he reveled in the events of the last hour. He had made contact with the Ghouls and everything had been set into motion. Slayer would pay for what he caused and Ray would claim a higher seat in the Knights if all went well. Now he just had to wait.